October 29, 2008

Stephan starting; Miettinen back

That's right, kids... Tobias Stephan gets the starting nod tonight against the Minnesota Wild. Coach Dave Tippett said Marty Turco has gotten three good days of work in with Andy Moog, but it's time to see what Stephan can do. "We expect him to play a solid game," Tippett said. "You get (confidence) by what you do, not what you say. He's going to be in "do" mode tonight. So we'll see how he does." Stephan has been waiting for this chance. Obviously, he knows playing behind Marty means waiting and waiting for a start, but he's been itching to get a full game. I'm curious to see, myself, what happens when he gets the chance from the start instead of down a goal or two. Although he'll "I'm just trying to develop good habits in practice so I can feel good about myself there and take it over into a game." I also wonder the effect this has on the defense. You've got a guy getting only his second NHL start, so maybe this is the ultimate wakeup call for the defense, too... Get it together, folks, and help the kid out. Marty hasn't had much help in the early season. Other tidbits: Joel Lunqvist's shoulder injury will not require surgery. Steve Ott was announcing to us all that he's ready to go. Ah, I've missed seeing that energy.

Meanwhile, it was the return of Antti Miettinen on the other side. Guy's been playing great (6 goals, 3 assists in seven games), and the combo of he, Andrew Brunette and Mikko Koivu has been productive for the Wild. So we'll see how he does in his return to StarsLand. The Wild haven't done well in Dallas... haven't won here since 2002-03.